May the mumbling commence!
Many of us have heard about holy war or jihad. But, what exactly is holy war? And who declares it? I believe the Lord’s intent was made clear the first time a holy war happened – at the shore of the Red Sea. When the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, He did so with His mighty outstretched arm. His power moved the pillar of cloud and flame between the Egyptian army and the Israelite people. His power divided the Red Sea. And His power released the Red Sea in destruction of Pharaoh and his entire army.
What was asked of Israel in all this? Be still and witness. Show your faith in the Lord and walk between the walls of congealed water that was the Red Sea. They showed their faith in the Lord by this action. In all the rest of the battle, they were only witnesses.
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." (Ps 46:10)
Israel’s response on the far side of the Red Sea was worship in song. Now, let’s flash forward to another example of Israel’s faith in God juxtaposed against incredible odds during the reign of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Read his prayer below from 2 Chronicles 20:6b-12 –
"O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'
But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
Jehoshaphat led the people in seeking the Lord in the midst of attack. Read the Lord’s response from 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 –
He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'"
Stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord. This promise from the Lord, after the discernment of the people led to worship. Judah went to battle armed with song, and God provided the victory! A hymn-sing won the day! Read about it below:
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever."
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. (2 Chron. 20:21-23)
And the reward was far greater than they could imagine! We need no weapons or armor other than the Lord and our witness to His greatness. Let us burst forth in song and praise and allow the Lord to declare and execute any holy war that is necessary.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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